La Salle’s tallest player, veteran Maureen Penetrante continues to provide points for her team at the start of the second set. Stephanie Mercado as well as Carla Llaguno also provide kills for La Salle. At the 6-2 mark, Ateneo calls a much needed time out. The Eagles pile up 3 straight points as they fight back. Another controversial call by the referees causes a buzz from the crowd after they awarded a point to Ateneo claiming that blocker Michelle Datuin touched the ball as it sailed outside from an open attack spike by Soriano. Penetrante again comes alive producing 2 consecutive points as she uses her height advantage by spiking the ball above the Ateneo blockers. It’s 14 all. From hereon, La Salle starts to pull away thanks to their excellent defense. At 21-15, Ateneo retaliates by winning back to back points. It’s crunch time! Rallies are now becoming longer and more exciting. Kesinee solidly blocks Llaguno to make it 22-19; Ateneo now coming close. But Lady Archer Jacqueline Alarca spoils Ateneo’s brief celebration by making the crucial points for La Salle. Llaguno adds another point via a powerful open attack, 24-19. The set ends in favor of La Salle after setter Reiea Saet dinks the ball. 25-19.
It’s now or never for Ateneo! They draw first blood at the start of the third set as Kesinee again solidly bocks Llaguno. But La Salle continues to control the game by defending well and converting second chance balls into points. Just like in the previous sets, Ateneo seems to be struggling. Every time the Lady Eagles make a kill, La Salle answers right back. You can see the frustration in Kesinee’s face. Patty Taganas seems to be not playing well today as she commits costly errors at crucial moments of the game. At 9-6, she makes another error by spiking the ball into the net. Averil Paje replaces her. Ateneo continues to run out of luck as Charo Soriano tries to make another down the line kill but the lines-man calls it out. It’s 16-11 and Ateneo is starting to die out. Asia Urquico comes in. Then all of a sudden - a sign of hope! Ateneo’s top scorer Kesinee makes kill from the backline. Ateneo blocks La Salle twice. It’s now 20-16. La Salle Head Coach Ramil De Jesus calls a timeout. Alarca again spoils the day for Ateneo as she produces another timely point. From hereon, it’s a see-saw battle up until the 23-20 mark with La Salle leading only by 3 points. Carla Llaguno makes an open spike kill. Then Kesinee gets blocked. Game over for the Lady Eagles. 25-20.
NOTE: All photos in this post courtesy of Yugatech.
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There are 14 comments to this entry
I’m stuck in between. Haha. It’s my two favorite teams battling out each other.
I feel that Ateneo had an off-day this day while La Salle on the other hand, had lady luck on their side.
Most of La Salle’s attempts got in while Ateneo, who is famous for digging hard spikes especially from hard hitters like Bernal, Balse and Tabaquero of UST, Carrillo of Lyceum, Bualee of San Sebastian, etc. had very poor reception. Most of La Salle’s spikes were not that hard and blockable but went in because of the Ateneo team can’t quite find their rhythm.
La Salle had a field day of blocking. You could see that Charo Soriano got demoralized in 2nd and 3rd set that’s why her spikes are not that powerful as compared in her energy in the 1st set. Plus, another thing is the setter, Limgenco can’t quite blend well with Kesinee, Acevedo and Soriano, hence, they had a hard time attacking even easy balls.
La Salle was very determined and hungry coming into this game. I admire them of taking advantage of Ateneo having an off-day. They knew it that’s why they were never threatened and celebrated each point they got. I hope this would boost the morale of the Lady Archers and could make them win their next games so that the win against Ateneo would not be put into waste.
Of course, I’m a Lasallian but I admit it, if La Salle makes it in the Semi-Finals, and they face Ateneo, Ateneo would most likely be angry and avenge their upsetting defeat from the eliminations. Might be another three-set match but a lopsided one. Hehe.
ANIMO ATENEO! ANIMO LA SALLE!
One Big Fight! Green White Fight!
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@MILES: Pustahan na lang oh!! Which 2 teams do you think will make it to the Finals?
Basta ako pusta ko it will be either San Sebastian and UST or San Sebastian and Ateneo.
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anong SSC & ateneo? SSC & UST.???? e2 ang mgandang choices: UST & SSC, UST & Ateneo…. UST & DLSU… hehehe…. peace!!!! wala bang replay ng games sa gabi????
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magaling nman tlga DLSU, khit maka-UST ako,these 2 teams (UST & DLSU) were almost the same for me,they have talented players and ehem ehem ehem full of beauties… hehehe… there not relying in only one attacker/player, they can win a game as a team. every attacker nila klangang bantayan… hehehe… f meron ung carolino sisters sa DLSU, i think its going to be UST-DLSU sa finals…. walang kokontra… !!! hehehe! Congrats shakey’s v-league
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@Marcvill: Haha. I don’t know but I want to root for an Ateneo-UST Finals.
Someting tells me that if ever a UST-Ateneo happens, tickets of The Arena may be sold-out with both supporters of boths schools filling up the seats to cheer for their team.
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go go go go go ust kayang kaya nyo yan…..:)
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ye AtEnEo-UstE!
papareserve na ku or iL make my own ticket!!!…hihiihihhihi
Basta MataLo nmn Uste for a cHange. =P
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i can’t w8 2 c ateneo-ust c”,)
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nkita u b new hairstyle ni angeli tabaquero??? png faces of vlig un.. hehehe
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With the win of UST a while ago against San Sebastian, indeed, an Ateneo vs UST Finals is possible! Haha.
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hahahaha……… UST p rin…… sana mareplay ung against SSC sa weekend…. hahaha
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there were controversies behind ateneo losing to dlsu in 3 straight sets. but all strong teams will always have their “off game”. wherein panget na yung laro, may halo pang malas and this is what happened to ateneo.
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Go DLSU kayang kaya niyo yan
magagaling kaung laht
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Go USTE!!!!!!!!!!!
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